[Jake Mc.]

In my opinion, the single stage is the best to start out on, but it's definately not set in stone. I've used a single stage (actually 2 of them) for years and have had no problems. I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds with it, and I feel I've learned a lot from diong it "the hard way".

When I started, for $150 I got everything I neded but the bullets primers and powder. After reading the book, it took only a few sessions and I was banging out 100 rounds in an hour. The single stage let me take my time and learn each step one at a time. It also raised a few questions that a little research cleared up. In other words, I LEARNED a lot!

A progressive on the other hand does it all at once, and it does it all for you. I firmly believe in multitasking, but for a beginner, doing it all at once is alot to keep an eye on. Even with a good setup strange things can happen. One little mistake could lead to alot of pulled bullets, or worst case, a trip to the ER. If you have the money, and someone to help and teach you, then sure, go for it and get the progressive to start out.

But I still believe nothing beats the experience you get from starting out "the hard way"!